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This week, I circle back to my partner and fitness guru Tracy Anderson as myself and various cohorts have some questions about diet and maximizing time spent in the gym. Some of these said cohorts have been training for marathons and spinning regularly with odd results and wanted some answers. Another has just a few last holiday pounds to shed. Tracy has very kindly provided us with her insights and a 15-minute workout to use as an add-on to your regular workout or to get you started. Either way, she's freaking awesome. And this week, just in time for Valentine's Day (or if you want to get a jump on Mother's Day), is our exclusive collaboration with one of my fave jewelry designers, Jen Meyer. Give (yourself) the mum necklace. You deserve it.;)

Love,gp

Gwyneth mentioned you have a shake that’s great for getting rid of the last few pounds when you’re trying to lose weight. What goes into the shake and when/how often should we be drinking it?

A:I drink my Wellness Formula Shake every morning.

It has a complete amino acid profile and comes from an all-vegan protein source. I mix two scoops with grass-fed, hormone-free whole milk, fresh coconut water, and a little dark chocolate agave mix. It’s my power milkshake and gets me through my morning, my workout, and my shower. I then eat a light lunch with loads of fresh greens and an early dinner of whatever I want. I am very consistent and that routine has been a key player in my results.

Powders are a great way to add protein to your diet without all the potentially harmful effects of some protein sources. Keep in mind, protein shakes in general should be treated as a meal replacement, not a snack. If you combine two scoops of the shake with water and ice in lieu of breakfast or lunch, you will lose weight and feel great, as it provides clean energy to burn throughout the day. If you add coconut water, fruit, almond milk, et al, you’re packing calories into the drink that can quickly add up and ultimately cause weight gain.

It seems that some people are all about kettle bells while others are diametrically opposed to heavy weight lifting. What’s your stance?

A:I am NOT a fan of kettle bells. Without a truly keen mind/body connection and ability to control swinging weights, you can easily injure yourself: The way that the momentum forces the muscles is a very difficult process to master. And overuse, which comes from constantly swinging in the same rotation, can lead to lasting damage. Kettle balls are also unnecessary, since you can easily get the benefits of incorporating weight and motion in a way that doesn’t add bulk or put your body at risk of injury.

I have occasionally designed programs for men that incorporate kettle bells, but I would never recommend them to women, even for women who are fans of bulkier muscle lines. While bulkier muscle looks OK on women in their 20s and 30s, it doesn’t age well. The sooner you build a long, lean, and feminine arm, the more sustainable the results will be—and with no sacrifice in strength